Study Questions: Donald Posner, the Pilgrimage to Cythera

Elaine O’Brien, Spring 2009

Art 108, Nineteenth Century Art History Study questions: Donald Posner, “The Pilgrimage to Cythera”

1. For what purpose did Antoine Watteau paint The Pilgrimage to Cythera? 2. What and where is Cythera? 3. What explanation does Posner give for the painting’s uncharacteristically sketchy brushwork? 4. What year did the painting enter the collection of the Louvre? 5. When did it become “the masterpiece of French masterpieces” and why did it take so long for it to be so admired? 6. Who were the Goncourts? (You have to look this up.) 7. How and why did the reception of the painting change over time and why? 8. Describe the different ways of interpreting it. 9. What is Posner’s view of whether the couples are going or coming from Cythera? 10. What are the arguments pro and con “going” or “coming”? Why does it matter? (You will have to read to the end of the article to answer this question.) 11. What does Posner think Watteau intended the painting to mean? What evidence does he give? 12. Would membership in the Academie have been of practical value to Watteau? 13. How is The Pilgrimage to Cythera a “fete galante,” a “modern pastorale,” and why would it be less esteemed than a history painting by traditional academic standards? 14. Where did Watteau get the idea for the painting’s subject? Is it an original idea in art history? Explain 15. How did Watteau go about composing his figures in the landscape? 16. Why does Posner think the meaning is “radiantly clear” in spite of the undetermined narrative? 17. Why did the academicians change the title of the painting to “une feste galante” (thus creating a new academic genre) and deny Watteau the status of a history painter? 18. What is the difference between the Louvre and later Berlin versions of the painting? 19. What explanation does Posner give for art world’s preference for the first (Louvre) version? How does the second painting confirm Posner’s thesis about Watteau’s intended meaning?

Finally: Determine the thesis and three key points that establish the credibility of the thesis.